Commercial landscape maintenance costs can vary significantly from site to site. With many different factors influencing the final quote, it’s important for businesses to understand what affects the price so they can budget effectively and choose the right contractor.
This guide breaks down the services typically included in a maintenance program, the key factors that influence pricing and how ongoing maintenance can help maximise your return on investment.
What Is Commercial Landscape Maintenance?
Commercial landscape maintenance is the ongoing care of outdoor spaces surrounding commercial, industrial, government and multi-residential properties. It focuses on larger, high-traffic sites where presentation, safety and functionality are all essential.Â
At Solutions+, we offer comprehensive commercial landscape and grounds maintenance services tailored for community estates, sports fields, parks, campuses, public spaces and much more.
What Services Are Typically Included?
The services included in a maintenance program can vary depending on the property and its requirements. A tailored maintenance program ensures every landscape receives the care it needs to remain visually appealing, safe and healthy throughout the year.Â
At Solutions+, our commercial landscape maintenance services can include:
- Lawn and Turf CareÂ
- Garden Bed ManagementÂ
- Irrigation OptimisationÂ
- Pest and Disease ManagementÂ
- PruningÂ
- Seasonal Clean-upsÂ
- Seasonal PlantingsÂ
- Hardscapes Sweeping & BlowingÂ
- Fertilisation ProgramsÂ
- Weed ManagementÂ
- Water Feature Maintenance
Types of Commercial Properties That Require Maintenance
Any property can benefit from commercial landscaping, as a well-maintained landscape creates a strong first impression. Each property has unique maintenance requirements, so a tailored program can help ensure that the landscape remains attractive, functional and aligned with the needs of the site and its patrons.
Commercial landscape maintenance services are commonly provided for:
- Strata properties
- Office complexes
- Industrial facilities
- Retail centres and shopping precincts
- Hospitality and hotel venues
- Schools and universities
- Healthcare and aged care facilities
- Public spaces and parks
- Government and civic buildings
Key Factors That Affect Commercial Landscape Maintenance Cost
Property Size and Site Complexity
Commercial landscape maintenance costs are highly site-specific.Â
Often people wonder how two properties of a similar size can receive vastly different quotes, but don’t let the size fool you. There are a lot of different complexities in a site going beyond just its size.Â
Two properties of the same size can take very different amounts of time to maintain. For example, a large and open space allows landscapers to mow efficiently in long, uninterrupted passes. Whereas a space with winding paths and tight corners requires them to slow down and constantly manoeuvre, which naturally adds time to the job. Â
Service Frequency
Weekly, fortnightly and monthly schedules can each provide different levels of upkeep and presentation, and therefore different levels of cost. More frequent servicing keeps a space consistently well-presented, while less frequent visits mean more work is needed within each session to bring the landscape back up to standard.
The right maintenance schedule will depend on factors such as foot traffic, how the space is used and the level of presentation required. High-traffic spaces may need more frequent visits to manage wear and tear and keep the area looking its best.
Type of Landscaping and Planting
The type of landscaping and planting across a property can also influence the level of maintenance required. Turf areas need regular mowing, hedges need pruning, and garden beds need ongoing weeding and care. On top of this, irrigation systems need regular checks and adjustments to ensure water is being used effectively.
The choices you make when planning a landscape can have a big impact on the maintenance it needs down the track. Our tip? Choose native plants where possible. Once established, native plants are naturally suited to local conditions, meaning they can require less upkeep. They also have the added bonus of bringing more biodiversity to the area.Â
Seasonal Requirements
The maintenance requirements of a landscape can change just like the weather. Spring and summer bring faster turf and plant growth, which can mean more frequent mowing, pruning and watering. Summer can also place greater demand on irrigation systems as plants require more water to stay healthy, especially in Australia’s climate. Autumn can bring a heavy drop of leaves for clearing. Storms can also create unexpected work, with fallen branches, heavy runoff and erosion requiring additional clean-up and maintenance.
These seasonal changes can affect both the frequency and scope of maintenance required throughout the year, meaning costs may vary as the landscape responds to changing conditions.
Compliance and Safety Requirements
Working around busy public spaces, schools, businesses and other active sites can require additional planning and safety measures. Traffic management, public liability requirements and working around the public can all influence the time, labour and equipment needed to complete maintenance safely. Depending on the site, WHS requirements may also add to the overall cost.
While these considerations may not always be visible in a quote, they help ensure maintenance can be carried out safely, efficiently and with minimal disruption.
What Is Included in a Commercial Landscape Maintenance Contract?
A structured maintenance program offers a high ROI by preventing unplanned downtime, extending asset lifespans, reducing repair costs, and significantly improving the overall operational safety and efficiency throughout the site.Â
The day-to-day for a maintenance contract will look different across various sites, but we can tell you some things you can expect from a professional provider.
Scheduled Preventative Maintenance
As mentioned earlier, weather changes, safety concerns, and events can impact a landscape. Preventative maintenance prepares for these circumstances and looks ahead to address potential issues before they become problems, helping avoid costly deterioration and repairs down the track. For example, as summer approaches, a maintenance provider can prepare for increased demands that the heat will bring. If a major event, open day or sporting game is coming up, the team can anticipate increased wear and tear and plan maintenance accordingly.
Reporting and Site Inspections
Reporting and site inspections often aren’t thought of when looking at a well-kept area, but in a contract they won’t go unnoticed.Â
Reporting provides a clear record of what is happening across the site. This can help identify priorities, trends and compliance requirements.Â
Routine site inspections are another important part of a professional maintenance program. Inspections may take place weekly, monthly or annually and can include standard checklists, physical inspections and safety checks.
What does the customer get out of it? Greater visibility over their landscape, financial value, operational needs and risk management taken care of.
Optional Add-On Services
Not every maintenance task fits into a standard day-to-day program. You can add optional services when a site needs extra attention or seasonal work. These services can be tailored to each property’s needs, providing flexibility as requirements change throughout the year.Â
Irrigation repairs, seasonal planting, pressure cleaning, and additional safety work are just some examples of additional add-ons you can have in your contract.
Is Commercial Landscape Maintenance Worth the Cost?
The answer is yes!
Commercial landscape maintenance is worth the cost. A well-maintained landscape creates a positive first impression for customers, tenants and visitors while helping protect the value of the property over time. Not only that, but investing in maintenance can also save costs. As the saying goes, prevention is better than repair. Ongoing maintenance helps identify and address issues before they become costly problems, reducing the need for major restoration work down the track. It also plays an important role in keeping spaces safe, as upkeep can help manage trip hazards, overgrown vegetation and general site deterioration. All reasons that make professional maintenance worth it.
How to Choose the Right Commercial Landscape Maintenance Provider
Here are a few things to do and look out for when choosing the right provider:
Questions to Ask Before Accepting a Quote
Many different questions should be asked before entering a contract or accepting a quote, and it’s quite common to forget to ask what’s important. We’ve listed some questions you can ask to help ensure you fully understand what you are getting before entering the agreement.
- What experience do you have with sites similar to mine?
- Will you be able to work around my patrons (i.e students, residential guests, sporting clubs, etc)?
- Are you fully licensed and insured to work in this state?
- Can we make changes to the contract later?
- Do you conduct regular safety checks and inspections?
- How important is safety to you and your team?
- What does a day-to-day process look like?
- Do you service the equipment? If so, how often?Â
- What reporting do you conduct?Â
- What’s included in your quote? (This one is important to weed out any hidden costs)Â
- What other services can you help us with?
Why Experience Matters in Commercial Landscaping
When partnering with an experienced provider, the result is a partnership that provides consistency, clear communication and confidence. An experienced team looks beyond the immediate task, planning carefully for the property’s long-term needs rather than just the next job.Â
Experience also provides a wealth of knowledge, meaning they know what to look for. A seasoned provider has seen the risks and hidden dangers that can arise on commercial sites and has the ability to manage them before they become bigger problems. These skills and attributes are hard to come by, which is why, when looking for someone to take care of your biggest asset, experience matters.
Signs of a Quality Landscape Maintenance Company
To the naked eye, it can be hard to tell what qualities a landscape maintenance company should possess. Don’t worry, we’ve done the research and can tell you what indicators show a company is high quality.
Clear communication and a strong reputation are early indicators you can spot from the get-go. A high-quality company will communicate clearly with you from day one. To find out more about their reputation, look for reviews or past projects (high-calibre projects and clients say a lot about their status).
They’ll also offer a broad range of services. It takes a lot more than just mowing and watering to keep up a pristine space. The company you choose should offer a full suite of commercial landscaping services, including planting, irrigation, water features, paving and much more. They should also have well-trained staff to deliver these services, bringing attention to detail and consistency to every job. Look for companies that invest in ongoing training and are always growing and elevating their staff, not companies that stick to the same regimen for decades. The right staff will also have the right equipment. Dependable companies invest in quality, sustainable equipment that helps get the job done well.
Lastly, another indicator to look out for is cost-effective pricing. Be wary if prices seem unusually high or low, because a qualified company will offer reasonable pricing that reflects the quality of its work.
Why Businesses Choose Solutions+ for Commercial Landscape Maintenance
Working with us means bringing the plus to your landscape. At Solutions+, we create and maintain spaces people genuinely love and are drawn to spend time in. Our qualified teams take shared ownership of your space, creating tailored maintenance programs suited to the needs, requirements and budget of each property. With over 25 years of experience across different sites, from sports fields and universities to retirement villages and estates, we have the wealth of knowledge and practice to help ensure your landscape is well looked after all year round.
FAQs
How much does commercial landscape maintenance cost in Australia?
Commercial landscape maintenance costs in Australia vary depending on the size, complexity and requirements of the site. Providers may organise monthly contracts or fixed annual maintenance agreements.
How often should a commercial landscape be maintained?
Many maintenance programs can be scheduled weekly, fortnightly, monthly and seasonally. However, the frequency depends on factors such as site size, safety standards, and foot traffic. More frequent scheduling generally benefits commercial spaces by ensuring their presentation standards are maintained throughout the year.
Are commercial landscape maintenance contracts customisable?
Yes, definitely! High-quality maintenance providers typically offer fully customisable programs tailored to both the client’s and the site’s needs.
What services are included in commercial landscape maintenance?
Services can include anything from mowing and weed management to seasonal cleanups and irrigation management. The services included in a contract will vary depending on the property’s needs and the client’s preference.
What is the difference between residential and commercial landscape maintenance?
Commercial landscape maintenance typically involves larger, high-traffic spaces that require careful planning to maintain presentation, safety and functionality. Unlike residential landscaping, commercial maintenance may cover multiple garden areas, extensive turf, and public spaces instead of an individual residential property.
